Bicycle Mechanics - howling brakes!

Hello,

Is there anything I could do to stop my V-brake pads from howling? They are working pretty efficiently, but man are they loud. Someone suggested giving them a gentle rub with sandpaper. Did that, though perhaps a bit timidly, and it didn't help.

any ideas?
much obliged,
Danny

Check them for a slight toe-in at the front of the pads.

use a bastard file for surfacing brake pads. Also if your bike is very old it might need a rather rigorous run with the file. My 15 year old trek I bought needed nearly 10 mins with the file to get the hardened rubber off of it. It wasnt a thick layer, just that layer got super hard and it was making my breaks embarrasingly loud.

I wish I could make mine howl. They used to when the wheels and pads were new but it gradually wore off. Since I do a lot of riding in London, England, which is full of tourists looking the wrong way as they step in to the road, it was very useful for making them jump back again!

A friend just told me about the 'dime trick'. Put a dime under the rear of the brakepad then tighten it down. Just accomplishes a toe-in by shimming w the dime. I haven't tried it yet.

This is a more expensive(OK not too expensive) solution. Get new pads. Virtually all new pads like KoolStops toe-in easiler than older pads since they have a small bump in the rear section of the pads that helps align the pads so they toe-in better.

On the other hand, if your front brake is an XT v-brake, abandon all hope and put an Avid arch rival on there. I did and I haven't looked back :).

It can also help to clean the rims off with a scotchbrite pad or similar. The braking
surfaces get dirty and this can increase squeal. Do this after you fix the toe in, which is far more likely to reduce howl. If the pads are more than 3-4yrs old it would be better to replace them, though heavy sanding (or filing) may expose softer rubber. Steve

yeah, primarily proper brake pad adjustment... or get some disc brakes and not have to toe em in at all.